Crawling traction mechanism.



B. JACO-BY & H. E. ROUSH.

CRAWLING TRACTION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. 20. 1915.

1,20OA38. Patented Oct. 3,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

1N VEN T0135. EZ'AUAM/li/ v2? 605 k m- 5a? yaw B. JACOBY & Hf E. ROUSH. CRAWLING TRACTION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20. I915.

Hm 1 OJ 1 00 L c 0 d 6 t H 6 It a D1 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTORS BENJAMIN JACO B Y HERBERT g. nous/4 A TTORNE Y.

B. JACOBY &H. E. aousn. CRAWLING TRACTION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION F-ILED DEC. 20, i915- PiLtGIltGd 0013. 3, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 mamas.

INVENTURS BENJAMIN JACOB Y HERBERT E. ROUSH BY f ATTORNEY.

B. JACOBY- & H. E. ROUSH. CRAWLING mcnon MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20. I915.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- 1,2UOA38g.

- INVENTORS.

BENJAMIN JACOB Y HERBER T E. ROUSH BY A TTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN JACOBY AND HERBERT E. HOUSE, OF MARI ION, OHIO.

CRAWLING- TRACTION MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916,

Application filed December 20, 1915. Serial No. 67,708.

mechanism, and the object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this character having avery large degree of flexibility, whereby the sectional track will be enabled to follow-closely the contour of the ground or other surface over which the mechanism is moving.

To this enditisa further object of the invention to provide the structure to be transported, along each side, with a plurality ofindependently movable trucks to engage the endless track. and support said structure thereon; and to so construct and arrangeiitliesewtrucks that each will be capable 'of movement relatively to the structure which is to be transported and to the other trucks; and further to provide each truck with a plurality of .track engaging members which will be capable of vertical movement relatively one to the other, as well as relatively to the other trucks.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for steering a mechanism of this character; to provide means for preventing the cavities of the blocks or sections durable character, whereby the cost of' manufacture and of maintenance. will be low. e

Other objects and advantagesof the invention will appear as it is described in detail;

In-the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mechanism embodying our' invention showing same applied to av steam shovel, the upper structure of the shovel being broken away; Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of such a mechanism. Fig. 3

trucks; Fig. 4 is a plan view partly in section of the driving and steering mechanism for one of the trucks; Fig. 5 is a side elevationof the mechanism shown in Fig. 4; Fig.; 6 is a top plan viewof one of the blocks or sections of the track; Fig. 7 is a side elevae tion of such a block; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken through the block and-tumbler;

1g. 9- is a sectional view taken on the line a: a: of Fig. 7, and Fig. 10 is a detail of one of the pivot pins of the track. I

In carrying out ourinvention we provide the main frame of the structure which is to be transported, and which may be an excavating mechanism or any other structure, with a plurality of trucks along each side thereof, these trucks-being connected with said frame in such a manner as to permit each track to have'movement in a vertical plane relatively to the frame and to the other trucks. These trucks are arranged in engagement with the operative portion of an endless track, which extends about the trucks, and serves to support the structure upon the track. Preferably each truck comprises a pivotal frame having on each side of its axis track engaging members, which members are capable of a vertical movement relatively one to the other. Means-are also provided for imparting driving movementvv to one of the track engaging members of one track on each side of the frame, whereby lengthwise traveling movement is imparted to the track and to the structure supported thereon. These particular features of the invention may be embodied in mechanisms of variouskinds and that here shown has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one embodiment of the invention vand have shown the same as applied to a concentrically with'the axis of the revolving platform is an annular rack 3 with which meshes a pmion 4, carriedby the revolving platform and operatively connected with ,suitable .power mechanism which is carried is a plan v1ew partly in section of one of the by that platform, whereby the pinion may front and rear axles 5 and 6 in, substantially their usual form, making only such detail changes in the construction as are necessary to accommodatethem to the present mechanism.

To apply the crawling traction mechanism to the main frame of a structure of this kind we have provided a plurality of trucks which are movably' connectedwith the main frame 1 and are provided with track engaging members to engage the endless track, which is indicatedas a whole by, the reference numeral 7, and support the structure thereon. Preferably there are twoof .these trucks upon each side of the main frame, and inthe present instance, we have pivotally connected the trucks with the main frame so that each truck is capable of movement in a vertical plane about its axis, thereby enabling its track engaging members to rise and fall relatively to each other and relatively to the other trucks. The track 7 comprises a series of sections or blocks. 8, each of which comprises a tread portion consisting of a blockof" wood 9 covered with sheet metal 10," to protect the same from wear. Secured to the inner face of each of the blocks is a link or casting 11, having at one side a lug 12 and having at its other side ears 13 adapted to receive the lug 12 of an adjacent section of the track. Pivot pins 14 extend through the ears and lugs to pivotally connect the links and their sections one to the other, on axes extending transversely to the length of the track. If desired, each connecting pin 14 may be provided with an oil conduit 15 opening at its inner end into the bearing of the lug 12 and having at its outer endan enlarged chamber 16, adapted to receive grease and to be closed by a plug 17 \Ve also prefer to counter-sink the outer surface of the wood block 9 and its'protecting plate 10 to receivethe heads of the bolts 18, by means of which the block is connected with the link or casting 11. Each link is provided with central cavity 19 to receive the tooth of an actuating member, as will be hereinafter described. In the particular construction here shown each truck comprises a frame member 20, pivotally mounted between its ends upon the main frame and preferably journaled on the end portion of one of the: axles, 5 and 6. Each frame member is bifurcated to receive between its ends on opposite sides of its axis, track engaging members.

J ournaled between the two parts of each frame member, at that end adjacent to the end of the main frame, is a tumbler 21 h'av ing about its periphery a series of projections or teeth 22 adapted to enter the cavities '19 in the blocks or sections of thetrack. These tumblers constitute guides about Which the endless track "extends and they also serve to support the ends of the respective truck frames. Further, as will hereinafter appear, the tumblers of the trucks at one end of the frame comprise driving members by means of which the traveling movement is imparted to the track. These tumblers may be of'various shapes, but we pre fer that here shown, in which they have a hexagonal shape,'each edge being substantially equal in length to the width of one of the track sections or blocks, and' each edge being provided with a tooth 22. Preferably each tooth 22 is tapered as shown and the front and rear walls of the cavities 19 in the track sections converge away from the .tumbler, thus providing an enlarged opening toreceive the end of the tooth and facilitating the entrance of the tooth into the cavity. At the same time the inner end of the tooth fits comparatively closely in the adjacent end of the cavity and there is no unnecessary play between these parts. These mechanisms are frequently employed where there is a great deal of mud .or loose dirt, quantities of which'will enter the cavities in the track, and, unless some means is provided for removing the same, will be packed in the cavities by the teeth of thetumblers and the cavities gradually filled. To remove this mud or dirt from the cavities we have formed each tooth of the tumblers hollow and open at both ends, as shown on 23, and have tapered the opening outwardly, consequently, any loose dirt or mud in the cavity Will be forced up through the opening inthe tooth into the hollow interior of the tumbler, which is provided with openings 24, through which it may escape. The

track engaging member at the opposite or inner end of each truck frame preferably comprises a supplemental frame 25,pivotally mounted between its ends on the truck frame and having jonrnaled therein a plurality of rollers 26 adapted to engage the track and travel over the same, it being noted that the inner surfaces of the links 11 form a continuous track over which these rollers can move. In the present instance we have provided each supplemental frame 25 with four (4) rollers and have made the frames of such length that there is a comparatively short space between the inner ends of the track engaging members of the front and rear trucks. Consequently, the load is distributed over practically the entire operative portion .of the track. Because of-the construction of the trucks it will be obvious that the track will follow very closely any irregularities in the surface of the ground over which it is traveling, thus enabling substantially the entire operative length of the .trackto remain constantly in engagement with the ground regardless of the contour thereof. For example, if the forward portion of one track should engage a stone the tumbler of the forward truck will rise to permit the blocks or sections of the track to position themselves along the sides and top of the stone, this being accomplished Without lifting the adjacent blocks or sections of the track out of engagement with the ground. ,As the track advances and the forward tumbler moves past the stone it will descend to its normal position and the forward end of the inner track enwhere rigid .truck frames are employed. The

track 7 is carried upward over the trucks and suitable guide rollers 27 are provided to support the same out of engagement withthe trucks; preferably these rollers are mounted on brackets carried by the truck frames and extending upwardly therefrom.

The power mechanism of the shovel is preferably employed to impart traveling movement to the track and the power is, in the present instance, applied to the track through one of the tumblers. To this end the tumbler at the rear end of the machine, on each side thereof, is provided with a sprocket wheel 28 which in the present con-. struction is mounted on the axle 29 of the tumbler, which is journaled in the side members of the truck frame 20 and projects beyond the inner side of thistruck frame, as shown in Fig. 3. The sprocket wheel 28 is connected by means of a sprocket chain 30, with a sprocket wheel 31 rigidly secured to the rear axle 6 which is journaled on the main frame and may be driven from the power mechanism of the shovel in any suitable manner. In the present instance-we utilize a. driving mechanism similar to that commonly employed for propelling shovels of this type. This driving mechanism consists of a bevel gear 32 rigidly secured to the axle6 and meshing with a bevel pinion 33 on a shaft 34, arranged beneath the main frame 1 and connected by bevel gearing 35 main frame 1. This of course also advances .the forward trucks and thetumblers of these trucks also traveling in the links of the track, to carry the upper or idle stretch of the'track forward and placesucceedingsections of the track in their proper positions beneath the track engaging members.

While mechanisms of this character do.

not require a great deal of steering it is desirablethat some means should be provided by which they can be turned, or the direction of movement can be altered. In the present construction we accomplish this by provid ing means by interrupting the movement of one track while the other track continues to advance. mounted the drivingsprocket wheels 28 on the axles of the driven tumblers, and have provided suitable clutch mechanisms for connecting the sprocket wheels with the axles. As here shown a clutch member 38 is splined'- upon each .axle and cooperates with the clutch member 39, rigidly. secured to and preferably formed integrally with the sprocket wheel. The clutch member 38 is actuated by means of a yoke 40 which is ,pivotally mounted upon a bracket 41 extending laterally from supporting frame or plate 42, which is mounted at its ends upon the axle 29 and the axle 6, respectively. The yoke may' be actuated 'to shift the clutches in any suitable manner, but in the present arrangement, where it is desirable to shift the clutches at infrequent inter als only, We have provided operating'levers 43, extending to the, rear of machine and arranged to be grasped by the operator when standing on the'groundin the rear of the machine. To retain the'clutches either in their operative or inoperative positions, each "yoke is provided with a finger 4:1: extending through an opening 45 in the plate 42 and having an aperture adapted to be moved into alinement with one of two apertures formed in a lip -16 projecting from the plate 42 and to receive a pin which serves tov hold the finger 4 4 and, consequently, the clutch in their adjusted positions.

The operation of mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that the construction and arrangement of the several parts are such that a very large degree of flexibility is secured and the track is enabled to shape itself to fit closely into or about irregularities in the ground over To this end we have .loosely which it is traveling, this being permitted by the movability of the trucks. Further it will be apparent that this construction isv such as to enable us to provide a 3-point support for the main frame of the structure trucks rise or fall as they travel over theground, and relieving this main frame of much of the strain which would otherwise be imposed thereon. This 3 point support is secured bypivotally mounting the forward end of the frame upon the forward axle 5, as shown in Fig. 2. In this connection it may be noted that either end of the machine may constitute the front end, as the mechanism moves in either direction with equal ease. It will also be noted that the construction of the front and rear trucks is substantially. the same. The only material difference is that one of the trucks on each side, preferably the front truck, has its tumbler adjustably mounted therein to enable the tension of the endless track to be ad justed. This adj ustability of the tumbler is secured by mounting its axle 29 in slide blocks 47, which in turn are mounted in guideways or slots 48 formed in the outer ends of the two parts of the truck frame. Set-screws 49 extend into a slot or guideway and engage the slide blocks to hold them in their adjusted positions. Further it will be apparent that the mechanism is simple in its construction and is of a very strong durable character, thus enabling it to be manufactured and maintained at a low details of construction shown and described,

for obvious modifications will occur to a person skllled 1n the art.

Having now fully described our invention what we, claim as new and wish to secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. The combination with a frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame. at separated points to support the same upon said track, each of said trucks having a rotatable member supported in engagement with said track and capable of vertical movement relatively to said frame and to the other of said trucks.

The combination with a frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof and comprising a series of open links, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points to support the same on said track, each of said trucks having arotatable member provided with teeth to enter the links of saidtrack, and each of said rotatable members being capable of vertical movement relatively to said frame and to the other of said trucks.

3. The combination with a frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof and comprising aseries of open links, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points. to support the same on said track, each of said trucks having a rotatable member provided with teeth to enterv the links of said track, and each of said rotatable members being capable of vertical movement relatively to said frame and to the other of said trucks, and means to rotateone of said rotatable members to impart traveling movement to said track.

4. The combination with a main frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of truck frames pivotally mounted at separated points on said frame and having rotatable members engaging said track, and means to cause longitudinal traveling movement to be imparted to said track.

The combination with a frame and an endless track arrangedlengthwise thereof and comprising open links, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points to support the same on said track, each of said trucks comprising a pivotal frame member, and a tumbler journaled in each of said frame members and having teeth to enter the open links of said track.

6. The combination with a main frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof. of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points to support the same on said track, each of said trucks comprising a frame pivotally supported between its ends, and track engaging members connected with the respective ends of each of said truck frames to support said trucks on said track.

v 7. In a mechanism of the character described a main frame trucks secured to said frame near the respective ends thereof, each truck comprising a pivoted frame having its free end extending toward the adjacent end of said main frame, and a tumbler journaled on said free end of each of said truck frames, and an endless track extending about said trucks and said tumblers.

8. In a mechanism of the character described a main frame, trucks secured to said main frame near the respective ends thereof, each truck comprising a pivoted frame having its free end extending toward the adjacent end of said main frame, and a rotatable toothed member journaled on said free end of each of said truck frames, and an endless track extending about said trucks and said rotatable members and having open links to receive the teeth of said rotatable members.

9. In amechanism of the character described a main frame, trucks secured to said endless track extending about said trucks and said rotatable members and having open links to receive the teeth of said rotatable members, and means for rotating one of sald toothed members to impart traveling movement to said track.

10. In a mechanism 'of the character de scribed the main frame, trucks secured tosaid frame near the respectlve ends thereof,"

' each truck comprising a pivoted frame having its free end extending toward the adjacent end of said main frame, and a ro tatable member journaled on the free end of each of said truck frames and havin a plurality of straight edges of substantiaidly equal length, each of said edges being provided with a tooth, and an endless track extending about said trucks and said rotatable members. and comprising a, series of open links to receive the teeth on'said rotatable members.

11. In a mechanism of the characterdescribed a frame, an endless track-extending along each side of'said frame, an axle pivotally mounted between its ends near one end of said frame, a truck mounted on each end of said axle, track engaging members carried by said trucks to support the latter on said tracks, other trucks arranged on the respective sides of said frame near that end thereof opposite said axle, and having track engaging members to support the same on said tracks and means to cause traveling movement to be imparted to said tracks.

12. In a mechanism of the character described a frame, an endless track extending along each side of said frame, an axle pivotally mounted between its ends near one end of said frame, trucks mounted on the respective ends of said axle and having track engaging members to support the same on said tracks, a second axle mounted on said frame near that end thereof opposite said pivoted axle, trucks mounted on the respective ends of said second axle and having track engaging members to support the same on saidtracks, means for rotating said second axle and a driving connection between said second axle and a track engaging member of each of the trucks carried thereby.

13. In a mechanism of the character described, a frame, an endless track extending along each side of said frame, an axle pivotally mounted between its ends near one end of said frame,.trucks mounted on the respective ends of said axle and comprising pivoted truck frames and tumblers carried thereby to engage the respective tracks, other truclcs arranged on the respective sides of said frame near that end thereof opposite said axle and comprising pivoted truck frames and tumblers to engage the respective tracks, and means to cause traveling movement to be imparted to said tracks. I

14. The combination with a main frame, and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a truck connected with said main frame and comprising a frame member pivoted between its ends on an axis trans-t verse to said track, a tumbler journaled in a normally fixed bearing at one'end of said frame member and forming a guide about which said track extends, and .a track engaging roller mounted at the other end of said frame member for bodily movement relatively thereto and cooperating with said tumbler to support said truck on said track. 15. The combination with a main frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a truck connected with said main frame and comprising a frame member pivoted between its ends on an axis transverse to said track, a tumbler j ournaled in a normally fixed bearing at one end of said frame member and forming a guide about which said track extends, a supplemental frame pivotally connected with the other end of said frame member, and aplurality of track engaging members carried by said supplemental frame.

16. A truck for a crawling traction mechanism, comprising a frame having a bearing extending transversely thereof between its ends, and arranged to divide the same into, unequal portions, a tumbler rotatably mounted in a normally fixed bearing near the outer end of the longer portion of said frame, and a track engaging device carried by the shorter portion of said frame.

17. A truck for crawling traction mechanism comprising a frame having a bearing extending transversely thereof between its ends, a tumblerrotatably mounted in a normallyfixed bearing near one end of said frame and a track engaging device secured to the other end of said frame, and comprising a supplemental frame pivotally mounted on said frame at that end opposite said tumbler, and a plurality of track engaging rollers carried by said supplemental frame.

18. A truck for crawling traction mechanism comprising a. frame having" a bearing extending transversely thereof between its ends, a tumbler rotatably mounted at one end of said frame and a track engaging device secured to the other end of said frame and comprising a supplemental frame pivotally mounted on said frame at that end opposite said tumbler, and a plurality of track engaging rollers carried by said supplemental frame, and a track supporting roller supported by said frame above the same.

19. The combination with a main frame, an endless track arranged lengthwisethereof,

of an axle carried by said main frame and projecting beyond the sides thereof, atruck frame pivotally mounted on each end of said axle, a track engaging member mounted in normally fixed bearings on each of said truck frames on one side of said axle, and another track engaging member mounted on each truck frame on the other side of said axle and-capable of bodily movement relatively to said truck frame.

20. The combination with a'main frame, and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of an axle carried by said main frame near each end thereof, the ends of each axle projecting beyond the respective sides of said main frame, a truck frame pivotally mounted on each end of each of said axles and a track engaging member secured to each end of each of said truck frames.

21.. The combination with a main frame, and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of an axle carried by said main frame near each end thereof, theends of each axle projecting beyond the respective sides of said main frame, a truck'frame pivotally mounted on each end of each of-said axles, a tumbler journaled on the outer end of each of said truck frames, and a supplemental frame pivotally mounted on the inner end of each of said truck frames, and track engaging rollers carried by each of said supplemental frames.

22. The combination with a main frame,

and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of truck frames pivotally mounted on said main frame near the respective ends thereof, a tumbler journaled on the outer end of each of said truck frames, one of said tumblers being adjustable lengthwise of said track, and track engaging members carried by the inner ends of said truck frames.

23. The combination with a main frame and anflendl ess track arranged lengthwise of said'frame on each side thereof, of trucks connected with said main frame on the respective sides thereof, each of said trucks having track engaging members to support the same upon said 'track, and means for separately actuating said trucks, whereby turning movement may be imparted to the mechanism as a whole.

24. The combination with a main frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise means for independently controlling the operative connection between said power mechanism and the respective tumblers.

25. The combination of a main frame, an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, and an axle carried by said frame, of a truck frame mounted on said axle, a tumbler axle journaled in said truck frame, a tumbler mounted on said tumbler axle, a driving member mounted on said tumbler axle and capable of rotation independently of said tumbler, clutch mechanism to connect said driving member with said tumbler, a bracket supported at its respective ends on said axles, a yoke pivotally mounted on said bracket and operatively connected with said clutch mechanism, means for actuating said yoke, and means for imparting operative movement to said driving member. a

26. The combination of a main frame, an

and operatively connected with said clutch.

mechanism, meansfor actuating said'yoke, means for securing sald yoke 1n adjusted positions, and means for imparting rotative movement to said driving member.

27. In a mechanism of the character described the combination with a track comprising a series of sections, each section having an opening in the inner portion thereof,

said opening being closed at its outer end, of a truck having a track engaging member provided with a plurality of teeth, adapted to enter the openings in said track sections, each of said teeth being hollow and being open at both ends.

28. In a mechanism of the character described the combination with a track comprising a series of sections, each section havmgan opening in the inner portion thereof,

said opening being closed at its outer end,

of a truck comprising hollow tumbler having a plurality of hollow teeth adapted to enter the openings in said track sections, each of said teeth having an opening in its outer end to permit foreign matter in the openings in said track sections to be forced through the same into the hollow tumbler.

29. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with a track comprising a plurality of sections, each section having a cavity in the inner side thereof, the front and rear walls of said cavities con verging toward the outer side of said section, of atruck comprising a tumbler having a plurality of teeth to enter the cavities of said track section, said teeth having their front and rear faces converging outwardly.

30. The combination with a main frame, and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points to support the same upon said track, said trucks comprising frame members pivotally supported between their ends, track engaging members mounted in normally fixed bearings on the outer-ends of the respective frame members and forming guides for the track, and'other track engaging members mounted at the inner ends of the respective frame members for bodily movement rela lively thereto and cooperating with the first mentioned track engaging members to support said truck upon the track.

ill. The combination with a main frame, and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points to support the same upon said track, said trucks comprising frame members pivotally supported between their ends, track engaging members mounted in normally fixed bearings on the outer ends of the respective frame members and forming guides for the track, and other t'ack engaging members mounted at the inner ends of the respective frame members for bodily movement relative thereto and cooperating with the first mentioned track engaging members to support said truck upon the track, one of said frame members being mounted for bodily vertical e movement relatively of the said main frame.

32. The combination with a main frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a plurality of trucksconnected with said frame at separated points to support the same on said track, saidtrucks comprising frame members pivotally supported between their ends, track engaging members mounted in normally fixed bearings on the outer ends of the respective frame members and forming guides for said track, supplemental frames pivotally mounted at the inner ends .of the respective frame members, and a plurality of track engaging rollers carried by each of said supplemental frames.

33. The combination with a frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of a plurality of trucks connected with said frame at separated points to support the same upon said track, each of said trucks having a rotatable member supported in engagement with said track, and one of said trucks being capable of bodily vertical movement relatively to said frame.

34. The combination with a main frame and an endless track arranged lengthwise thereof, of truck frames pivotally mounted at separated points on said main frame and having rotatable members engaging said track, one of 'said truck frames being capable of bodily vertical movement relatively to said main frame.

In testimony whereof, We aflix our signatures hereto.

BENJAMIN J ACOBY. HERBERT E. ROUSH. 

